Unalaska

Unalaska is a city on the Aleutian Islands of Unalaska and Amaknak. The part of the city on Amaknak Island is known as Dutch Harbor. It is the eleventh largest city in Alaska and has 4,400 residents (2019).

Unalaska

Understand

Private Land

The majority of the island of Unalaska is owned by the Ounalaska Corperation, a native corporation. Hiking or camping on these areas requires a land use permit

Climate

Unalaska
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       7.5     37 28       6.5     38 28       5.5     39 28       3.5     41 32       3.8     46 37       2.4     52 42       2.2     57 46       2.8     59 47       5.6     54 43       7.1     48 37       7     43 32       7.9     39 30 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       191     3 −2       165     3 −2       140     4 −2       89     5 0       97     8 3       61     11 6       56     14 8       71     15 8       142     12 6       180     9 3       178     6 0       201     4 −1 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Weather is Unalaska can sometimes be extreme, particularly in the winter. Storms can bring wind gusts of over 130mph and conditions can change rapidly. Proper equipment and clothing should be taken when hiking and NOAA advisories should always be considered before extended treks.

Get in

By plane

Dutch Harbor-Unalaska is best accessed by plane. 1 Tom Madsen (Dutch Harbor) Airport (DUT  ^IATA) is the city's state-owned public-use airport. Ravn Alaska flies in from Anchorage and Grant Aviation from the smaller communities of Akutan, Atka, Nikolski, St. George.

By boat

See also: Alaska Marine Highway

The ferries of Alaska Marine Highway sail to Dutch Harbor between April and October. It's the westernmost point on the AMH, and as such Unalaska is the westernmost point in the Americas reachable by scheduled land and sea transportation.

Get around

Individual tourist transportation is usually provided by private taxis. The phone numbers are typically posted in the airport, the local bars, and in the Grand Aleutian.

See

• 1 Aleutian World War II National Historic Area (visitor center located on the apron of the Dutch Harbor airport), ☏ +1 907 581-1276. Year round, but May-October offer the best access. This site is the remains of one of four World War II-era forts constructed to defend Dutch Harbor against a potential Japanese attack. The visitor center is free; however, a Land Use Permit must be obtained to visit the historic site on Mount Ballyhoo. Free.  

Church of the Holy Ascension

• 2 Church of the Holy Ascension, West Broadway Ave, ☏ +1 907 276-1596. The oldest Russian-built church still standing in the country. It was built in 1825 and then enlarged in 1894, when its floor plan was changed to a pekov (the shape of a crucifix). On Broadway overlooking the bay, the church and its onion domes are a photographer's delight. The church contains almost 700 pieces of art, ranging from Russian Orthodox icons and books to the largest collection of 19th-century paintings in Alaska. The best time to view the church and its icons is at 6PM on Saturday when staff members give an informal 30-minute tour just before service. Outside the church is a small graveyard, where the largest grave marker belongs to Baron Nicholas Zass. Born in 1825 in Archangel, Russia, he eventually became bishop of the Aleutian Islands and all of Alaska, before his death in 1882. Next door to the graveyard is the Bishop's House.  
• 3 Museum of the Aleutians, 314 Salmon Way, ☏ +1 907-581-5150, museumofthealeutians@gmail.com. Tu-Sa 11AM-3PM. Adult $7; children under 12 $3, under 3 free. 

Eat

• 1 Amelia's Restaurant, 2141 Airport Beach Rd, ☏ +1 907 581-2800. American cuisine. 

Sleep

• 1 Grand Aleutian Hotel (Harbor View Inn), 498 Salmon Way, ☏ +1 907 581-3844, toll-free: +1-866-581-3844, reservations@unisea.com.